18 WAITAKI HERALD, OCTOBER 15, 2014 Asthma Awareness Week 2014 Balloon Day Asthma facts: For Balloon Day, the Asthma Foundation’s message is simple – ’1 in 4 kids struggle to blow up a balloon, asthma won’t let them’. Balloons are used as 1 in 4 children will struggle to blow up a balloon, their asthma won’t let them. Why is this? Asthma causes the breathing tubes to swell. It’s easy for an asthmatic to breathe in, however, when they try to breathe out, to perhaps blow up a balloon, the lungs struggle to push air through the swollen breathing tubes. While the balloons convey a serious message, they are also a positive symbol. Every year the Asthma Foundation’s societies, trusts, and volunteers hold a range of fun, educational and entertaining activities in their local regions. Locally, the Asthma Society has fundraised to enable 11 primary school aged children with asthma to attend a term of free swimming lessons. The Committee would like to thank the J.W. Christie Trust and Waiareka Valley Lions for their grants towards the costs. Asthma figures are similar in both Maori and non-Mori children, though Maori children tend to have more severe symptoms and hospital admissions and their time off school tends to be higher. About 550,000 school days are missed every year due to asthma. The Asthma Foundation is a New Zealand non-for-profit sector authority which advocates to government and raises awareness of respiratory illness, funds research for better treatments and educates on best practice. Enjoying life: Jonty Watson takes a break at the swimming pool. Jonty is one of 11 North Otago children with asthma to receive swimming lessons from North Otago Asthma. Oamaru seven year old Jonty Watson was two when his mother SonyaWatson noticed little patches of red, infl amed, and itchy skin on his inner elbows and behind his knees. Around the same time she also noticed he had a chesty cough that didn’t seem to clear. After being diagnosed with asthma and topical eczema, Jonty now takes Flixotide (preventer inhaler), and Ventolin(reliever inhaler) for his asthma, which mum Sonya says has been working quite well for Jonty in keeping the asthma at bay and under control. His eczema has been more diffi cult to treat The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s not-for-profi t sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses. over the fi ve years since diagnoses, with regular fl are-ups over that time. “It has been a process over the last fi ve years to work out what triggers Jonty’s eczema and asthma and eliminate (where possible) those triggers from our lifestyle. Jonty has been seen by a specialist and also had a Rast Test (a skin prick test for allergies) done which showed he was allergic to grass, dog hair and dairy” , said Sonya. Some children have an atopic tendency (hyper-allergic) and may develop a combination of atopic eczema, asthma Receiving no government funding, the Asthma Foundation is committed to fi nding new solutions for people with asthma and respiratory diseases through contributing to the development of public policy, education and funded research. The Asthma Foundation continues to advocate on behalf of all people with respiratory conditions and increase awareness of respiratory conditions in New Zealand, and provides information, resources and support to the 15 affiliated Asthma Societies and Trusts nationwide. Asthma Awareness Week 2014 is being held from October 13 till More information can be found on the website: www.asthmafoundation.org Youngster Getting On With Life and hayfever. Eczema causes itching and sometimes causes infection and then scarring. “We try not to let it interfere with our lives too much and try to keep a relaxed attitude towards it around Jonty. He is very good and rarely complains about taking his medication or constantly rubbing on creams and lotions. We do have plenty of doctors’ visits though and packing to go away can be a bit of a hassle with having to be so organised with extra creams and inhalers etc,” Sonya explained. While Jonty fully participates as much as Asthma Awareness Week October 19, with Balloon Day on Friday, October 17. This year, the focus is 52. What is 52? At least 52 New Zealanders will die from asthma this year. People are surprised to learn that asthma can kill – many people regard asthma as a mild disease that causes the odd episode of wheezy breathing. For at least 52 families in New Zealand this year, asthma will be tragically memorable. It is hoped that by providing a focus on this number of tragic deaths each year, that greater awareness of the seriousness of the disease, and the importance of having asthma diagnosed and under control, will reach more people and hopefully lower this tragic statistic. • Home support & education • Respiratory exercise classes Offi ce in Community House Call for further information Monday-Friday Proud to support Asthma Awareness in community. Get a Heart Check For further information Go to www.heartfoundation.org.nz or contact your local medical centre. 6344596AA 6348561AA 9.30am-3pm on 4343202 and talk to Debbie possible and is fi t and energetic, Sonya has noticed as he has got older that the asthma is a little more prevalent, particularly when running for longer periods. “He has missed a few days of school over the last couple of terms due to asthma so we will need to monitor and alter his medication if need be,” Sonya said. Jonty is one of eleven North Otago children living with asthma who have been selected to receive a terms free swimming lessons, which have been fundraised for by Asthma North Otago. Debbie Huls is available to help and advise at a local level Acupuncture with Rick Asthma is a respiratory disorder, typified by wheezing and shortness of breath, which affects many New Zealanders. Acupuncture is an effective remedy for asthma. It can help disperse phlegm, strengthen lung and kidney function, and ease spasms during an attack. If the asthma is linked to stress, acupuncture can help to stabilise emotions. If an attack is severe the asthma should be treated with modern medicine, however there is no confl ict between using inhalers and acupuncture. In fact, acupuncture can help patients to gradually reduce their reliance on inhalers. Acupuncture is also good for eczema, which is often linked with asthma. Rick Loos NZRA ACUPUNCTURE NOW IN OAMARU AT HEALTH 2000 Please phone Health 2000 for appointments on 434 9663 Diploma Acupuncture & Therapeutic Massage N.Z.R.A. registered , A.C.C. provider 6344601AA 6344609AA Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalisation of children and one in four suffer from it. New Zealand has some of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the world. In Otago it is estimated there People so still die of asthma. are 8,700 children with asthma out of a total child population of 34,800. It costs around $1,200a day to treat a child in hospital for asthma.